Download Sawm Fasting in the Month of Ramadan 4th pillar of Islam

Sawm
Fasting in the
Month of Ramadan
th
4
pillar of Islam
Ramadan is the 9th month of the
Islamic calender.
It is a month of fasting. Everyday
from before sunrise until sunset,
Muslims abstain (stay away from)
from:
•Food
•drink
•useless talk
•sexual activity
•Smoking
•Lying, cheating and
swearing.
Who has to fast?
The sane, adult and healthy Muslim
has to fast.
Who doesn’t have to fast?
The elderly, the young (younger than
12 yrs old)
The pregnant, the menstruating lady,
the breast feeding mother, the
traveller (someone travelling over
45/50 miles) and the sick.
Why do Muslims fast?
To show obedience to God by following his command.
What are the benefits of fasting?
1.
2.
3.
4.
So they may acquire self-control.
Obedience to God
Improve health
more awareness of the suffering
of the sick, poor and hungry.
5. Following the example of the
Prophet Muhammad.
How important is food to
YOU????
Could you survive happily
without complaining of
hunger and thirst for 10
hours?
What would make YOU give
up food and drink?
Muslims believe:
It might be tempting to hide
somewhere and have a quick
snack and drink. But Muslims
know that this cheating may
fool people, but it won’t fool
God. God can see everyone
all the time.
And to cheat like this is a great sin.
Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar – it is
shorter than the normal solar year by 11 days.
So if Ramadan started on the 11th March on one year,
then the next year it would start on the 1st March.
Therefore there is no specific season for Ramadan. It
will be in winter for a few years, then spring for a few
years, then summer and then autumn and then winter
again.
Do you think its easier to fast in the
summer or winter?
Give reasons for your answer.
What would be the problems of fasting in:
a) Africa
b) Greenland
The month of Ramadan
ends with the festival of
Eid ul-Fitr.
This is marked by
dressing
up in the finest and
newest clothes, visiting
the mosque for prayer
and with visits to family
and friends for
celebratory meals.